MOLLITIES OSSIUM. 183 



of seeing, and in wliicli there was removal of the earthy- 

 constituents of the cranial and facial bones, more especially 

 at their borders, without any visible external alteration of 

 structure. There was neither swelling nor abscesses; in 

 fact, nothing to indicate the pathological change. In this 

 case examination after death revealed softening, thinning, and 

 perforation at the sutures and in the bodies of the bones, giving 

 them a pitted and worm-eaten appearance. The perforations 

 were filled, upon the cranium, by the pericranium and dura 

 mater, which were adherent to one another. The palatine bones 

 and alveolar processes were soft, porous, and spongy. — (See 

 Photo-lithograph, Plate I., Fig. 8.) An examination of the 

 plate will show that the borders of the various bones are 

 separated, in some places, to the extent of nearly half an inch. 

 The ethmoidal bone was completely absorbed, and the brain lodged 

 in the frontal sinuses, filling them, as well as its proper cavity. 



The case is so interesting, instructive, and unique, that I 

 cannot do better than describe it. The patient was a grey 

 Clydesdale gelding, nine years old. He had always been in 

 good health until within about three months of the time when 

 I saw him. At this time he was suffering from the effects 

 of delirium — the third attack within three months — and now, 

 having a discharge from the nostril, was supposed to be glandered. 

 I found him blind (amaurotic), but not quite unconscious ; was 

 very somnolent, or semi-comatose ; but would wake up with a 

 frightened start when anything disturbed him. He was in fair 

 condition; the nasal discharge was of the nature of a thin 

 reddish serosity, and more abundant from one nostril than from 

 the other. He was unable to masticate hay and corn, or did so 

 very imperfectly, and was becoming worse in this respect. His 

 powers of deglutition were also imperfect, and on examination 

 I found the teeth were loose, and that he could not close his 

 mouth firmly ; but the lips were not pendulous. Upon inquiry, 

 I found that he had been supported by thick gruel, oatmeal 

 balls forced into his mouth, bread and milk, boiled potatoes, &c. 

 In fact, being a great favourite, he had been well taken care of. 



Being anxious to know the source of the nasal discharge, 

 about which my opinion was sought by the attending prac- 

 titioner, I explored the facial sinuses by means of a gimlet, 

 and discovered that the bones were soft, thin, and easily perfo- 

 rated, and that the sinuses were not filled with the red serosity 



